Brake construction



Jan. 11, 1938. c. s, ASH 2,105,176

BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES s-ASH ATTORNEYS .la-.11. 11, 1938. Q s, ASH `2,105,176

BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR @5, CHARLES s AsH ATTORNEYS Patented im, A11,199.8 2,105,116. t

UNITED STATES PATENT r OFFICE e BRAKE CONSTRUCTION charles s. Ash, Milford, Miou., migiior to Koisey-Hayes Wheel Company, Detroit, Miolnfa corporation o! Delaware 4 Application Moron 1s, 1935, seran No. 11,113

14 claims. (ci. 18a-264) This invention relates generally to brake conmade more apparent as .this description proceeds, structions and refers more particularly to means especially when considered in connection with thefor cooling brakesv of the type employed in assoaccompanying drawings, wherein: ciation with the road engaging wheels of motor Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view 'of a pox"- 5 vehicles. tion of a motor vehicle chassis equipped with a 5 The operating temperature of the brake drum brake having my improved cooling means inassoand associated brake shoes of a motor vehicle is clation therewith; highly critical in obtaining efficient brake per- Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially `formance; and the problem of maintaining this on the line 2-2 of Figure l; l temperature within a satisfactory operating range Figure 3 isV a sectional view taken substantially 10 under all conditions of driving is greatly aggraon the plane indicated by the line 1 3 of Figvated by the steadily increasing demand for moure 1; tor vehicles capable of higher sustained speeds, Figure4 is a sectional view taken onthe line and by the inability of the air to circulate in close 4'-4 of Figure 3; l5 proximity to the brakes of vehicles of modern Figure 4A is a sectional view taken substan- 15 design, due tothe fact that the brakes are subtially on the line lA-A of Figure 3. l y stantially enclosed by sheet metal work, and by Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a motor the small diameter tires usually having a relativgvehicle showing a slightly modified form of conly large cross sectional area. struction; a One of the principal objects of this invention Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevational 20 is to effect more eicient brake operation by artiview of one of the brakes shown in Figure 5. with flcially cooling the brakes, or byfactually directcertain parts broken away for the sake of clearing a stream of cooling medium in the region of ness; l the brakes, so that the heat generated thereby Figure 1 is'a fragmentary perspective view of 95 will be effectively dissipated, with the result that another modified form of construction; 25 drum expansion 'and consequent fading of the Figure 8 is a sectional view through one of thel brakes is practically eliminated. Lowering the brakes shown in'Figure '7: operating temperature of the brakes by effectively Figure 9 is a perspective view of the air discooling the same, not only appreciably increases tributing member shown in Figure 8; and the elciency of voperation thereof, but also ren- Figure 10 is a semi-diagrammatic view illus- 30 ders it possible to utilize a brake drum formed of trating still another modified form of construcless expensive metals than heretofore required to tion. withstand the extremely higher brake operating Referring now to the drawings, it will be noted temperatures incurred in the past.I As a matter that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a portion of a of fact, the present invention renders it possible motor vehicle having a road engaging wheel I2 35 to obtain commercially satisfactory brake operaequipped with a brake i3 of the internal expandtion by employing -a relatively inexpensive ing type `having a drum Il secured to the road stamped drum, instead of the costly composite engaging wheel i2 for rotation therewith and drums heretoforeemployed to obtain the thermal having a backing plate I5 fixed against rotation. 40 conductivity required to dissipate the heat gener- The drum i4 is provided with a web I6 secured 40 ated With any degree 0f rapidityin any suitable manner to the wheel i2 and hav- Another advantageousv feature of the present ing an axially rearwardly extending annular invention resides in the provision of a cooling brake flange |10 The Outer surface of the gauge System for Vehicle brakes operable to not only is provided with radially extending heat radiatdirect a streamof cooling medium on the exterior mg nus and the inner surface is adapted to be 45 surface of the drum as it revolves with the road engaging wheel, but to also direct a stream of air engaged by suitable friction means Is mounted i l upon the backing plate i5 within the drum. In ngrbkhrga' t? al accordance with conventional practice, the fric-v tively low temperature. Discharging air into the tion means is Supported upon the backing plate 50 drum also has the function of maintaining the I5 with the friction surface nrma'uy spaced 9' interior of the drum relatively clean, due to the Slight distance from the inner annular Surface 0f fact that the air will blow out any dirt or abrasive the brake flange and expansion of the friction material that may accumulate in the drumi. means to engage the surface aforesaid thereof 'I'he foregoing, as well as other objects, will be with the brake flange may be accomplished by 55 any of the well known actuating means heretofore employed-for this purpose.

In the present instance, the rear end of the annular brake flange |1 is fashioned to provide an annular recess I8 for receiving the periphery ofthe backing plate, and the construction is such as to insure a clearance between the peripheral portions of the fixed backing plate and the adjacent surface of the revoluble drum. so that the former will not interfere with the rotation of the latter. The clearance thus provided forms an annular opening 20, and this opening is shielded by a guard 2| secured to the backing plate I5. As shown in Figure 4, the guard 2| forms a bafile opposite the annular opening and is provided with a forwardly extending flange 22 arranged in spaced overlapping relation with the rear end of the annular brake flange l1.

As previously stated, the temperature of the brake construction is highly critical in obtaining efficient performance of the brake, and in .accordance with this invention, the brake is effectively cooled, notwithstanding the extent to which natural circulation of air around the same is interfered with by the parts of the vehicle adjacent thereto. In each of the several embodiments of the invention about to be described, means is provided for supplying air to the brake in response to the forward motion of the vehicle, and in such a manner that as the speed of the vehicle increases, the cooling .eiliciency of the system also increases.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be noted that the cooling systemfeatured in these gures comprises a unit 2l xedly secured to the backing plate I5 at the top thereof in advance of the vertical center line passing through the axis of rotation of the wheel. The device 25 comprises a chamber 26 communicating with the atmosphere through the medium of a funnel-shaped portion 21 facing toward the front of the vehicle and positioned laterally beyond the rear side of the tire so as to receive the maximum quantity of air. The air received by, the funnel-shaped portion 21 is discharged through the chamber 26 upon the exterior surface 4 of the revoluble brake flange I1, through the medium of a relatively narrow discharge aperture 28 positioned above the brake flange I1 and extending for substantially the full width of the latter.

The above construction also provides for circulating air through the interior of the brake drum to cool the friction means, and this is accomplished in the present instance, by forming a relatively small funnel-like discharge passage 30 in the rear wall of the funnel portion 21 opposite the receiving opening of the latter. With this arrangement, it will be apparent that a certain amount of air flowing into the funnel portion 21 will be discharged through the funnel-like passage 30, and this air is conducted to the interior of the drum by means of a suitable flexible conductor 3|. The discharge end of the conduit 3| communicates with the interior of the drum through the medium of an opening formed in the backing plate at the top of the latter, and any suitable means may be provided for securing the conductor to the backing plate. It may be pointed out at this time that the portion of the shield 2| substantially diametrically opposite the clis- -charge end of the conductor 3|, or in other words, the portion of the shield at the lower end of the backing plate I5 is cut away to expose the adthe unobstructed portion aforesaid of the opening 2|). The circulation of air through the drum to the exposed portion of the opening 2l is not only induced, because of the fact that .the remaining area of the opening 20 is baiiied by the l shield 2|, but also due to the fact that the pressure of the area in the region of the exposed portion of the opening 2li has a tendency to be less during forward motion of the vehicle than the pressure at certain other points about the circumference of the drum.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, provision is also made for collecting any water that finds its way into the chamber 26 and preventing this water from escaping into the drum. The foregoing result is effected herein by forming a trap 22 in the lower portions of the chamber 28 and by providing a drain opening 33 through the bottom wall of this trap.

If desired, air may be collected from a position directly behind the cooling fan of the engine and supplied to the brakes of the vehicle to cool the latter. One manner in which the foregoing may be accomplished is shown in Figures 5 and 6. As will be observed from Figure 5, a funnelshaped air collecting member 35 is supported in any suitable manner in rear of the cooling fan 38, so as to receive air passing through the radiator 31 of the vehicle, and this air is conducted to an air distributing chamber 38 through the medium of a flexible conduit 3l. The air distributing chamber 3l is located at the brake andv is secured to the backing plate I5' of the brake drum Il. The chamber 38 is provided with an elongated outlet opening 40 positioned above the brake flange I1 of the drum I4 to discharge air against the latter in substantially the same manner as the air is discharged from the opening 2l in the rst described form of this invention. The chamber I8 also communicates with the interior of the brake drum through the medium of a conduit 31" and the manner in which the air is circulated through the drum is the same as previously set forth in connection with the embodiment of the invention featured in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. It will be noted from Figure 6, that the casing 38 is also provided with a trap 32' having a drain opening 23' in the bottom wall thereof permitting the escape of any water finding its way into the chamber prior to conducting the water into the brake drum. Other than the fact that the funnel 35 is disposed in a position to the rear of the cooling fan for the engine, instead of being formed integral with the casing 3l, this embodiment of the invention may be considered the same in operation as the one previously set forth.

In Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, I have shown a construction wherein the air m'ay be collected from the high pressure areas in advance of the fenders of the vehicle and discharged against the brakes of the road engaging wheels associated with the fenders. As diagrammatically shown in Figure 7, suitable casings l2 forming air receiv-g ing chambers are secured in any suitable manner beneath the fenders and are provided with intake openings 43 adapted to extend through the fenders in a position to receive air as the vehicle is being propelled in a forward direction. Each of the casings 42 communicate with a chamber 44 mounted upon the' backing plate II of the 75 associated brake'in substantially the` same position as the casing 26 described in connection with the -flrst embodiment of this invention. The

` aforesaid communications are'preferably estab.

, preferably formed with drain openings there,-

through to permit the water trapped in the casings to escape. The discharge ends of the flexible conduits 45, of course, communicate with the chambers 44 so as to conduct the air received by the openings 431to the interior of these chambers.

As shown in Figure 8, each` of the chambers 44 is provided with a discharge opening 41 elongated in a'circumferential direction with respect to the drum and directed toward the brake flange i1" so as to discharge air against the latter. In addition, each of the chambers 44 is provided with "outlet openings 48 adapted to register with a suitable opening 49 in the backing plate i 5 so as to also discharge air into the drum. The airy discharged into the drum is circulated around the brake friction means and discharged through the portion of the opening. exposed by cutting away the lower portion of the shield 2l", in the same manner as set forth in connection with the first described form of this invention,

Thus from the foregoing, it will be observed that in each of the several embodiments of the l invention, provision -is made'for collecting air from the high pressure areas created by forward motion of the vehicle and discharging a quantity `of this air -upon the exterior of the brake flanges as the latter are revolved. It will further be `apparent that in each of the modifications selected herein for the lthe purpose of illustrating this invention, provision is also'made for discharging a quantity of air into the brake drum and for circulating this air throughout the brake drum around the friction means. It will, of course, be understood that reasonably satisfactory results may be secured with a construction designed to effect either of the above results and, consequently, the present invention contemplatessuch an arrangement.' v

Referring now to theembodiment ofthe invention illustrated in Figure 10, it will be noted that this construction differs from the constructions previously described, ln that anjauxiliary or blower unit 50 is provided in the engine compartment ofthe vehicle for forcing air under pressure into the air distributing chambers 5I associated with the brakes of the vehicle. The

` chambers 5I may be identical in construction to the ones shown in Figure 8, and in the present instance communicate with the discharge side of the blower through the medium of a conduit 52 and a funnel-shaped receiving member 53. With this type of construction, the circulation of a liberal quantity of air in the region of the brakes is insured, even though the vehicle is being propelled at a relatively slow rate.

Attention is also directed to the fact that cooling the brake in accordance with the principle involved in any one of the several modifications, n

not only appreciably increases the efficiency of operation of the brake, but also renders it possible to utilize stamped brake drums, instead of the expensive composite drums found necessary in the past to obtain the thermal conductivity required to maintainthe operating temperature of the brakes within reason, Moreover, by utilizing the feature of appllcants invention which provides for discharging air into the interior of the drum, the latter will be maintained relatively clean, since the air will serve toblow out any `dirt or abrasive materialaccumulating within the drums,

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a drum Vhaving a brake flange, brake friction means housed Within the drum and engageable with the inner surface of the brake flange, means for coilecting air from high pressure areas in advance of the vehicle created by forward motion thereof, and means for directing a portion of the air against the outer surface of the brake flange and for circulating another portion of the air throughout the interior of the drum.

2. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake friction means withinv the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the flange, means fory mounting the friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, means mounted on said plate having a portion fashioned to collect air -upon forward'motion of the vehicle and having another portion directing the air collectedagainst the brake drum.

3. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a ,motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake friction means within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the ange, means for mounting the friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, means mounted on said plate having a portion for collecting air from a high pressure area created by .the forward motion of the vehicle and having another portion for discharging a quantity of the air thus collected against the revoluble brake flange.

4. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake friction means within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the flange, means for mounting the friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, means mounted on said plate having a portion for collecting air from a high pressure area created by forward motion of the vehicle and having another portion for discharging a quantity of the air thus collected against the revoluble brake flange, and means for also discharging a quantity of said air into the drum.

5. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake friction means within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the flange, means for mounting the friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, a cooling system for the brake including an air distributing chamber mounted upon the backing plate in communication with the interior of the drum through the backing plate and having a discharge opening positioned to discharge air against the outer surface of the revoluble brake flange, and means communicating with the chamber to supply air thereto including an air collecting device ing an annular brake flange, brake friction meanslocated in a position to receive air from a llgh pressure area created by forwardrnotion of the vehicle. v

6. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of motor vehicles, comprising a drum havsupported within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the flange, means mounting theI friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and having the periphery thereof spaced from the adjacent portions oi' the drum to form an annular opening, a shield for the opening fixed to the backing plate and having a portion cut 'away adjacent the lower end thereof to expose a portion f the annular opening, and means for collecting air from a high pressure area created by forward movement of the vehicle and for discharging the air into the brake drum at a point adjacent the top thereof. n

7. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a. revoluble drum having an annular brake ilange, brake friction means within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the ange, means for mounting the friction means in said drum including a backing plate closing the lopen side of the drum and fixed against rotation, a cooling system for the brake including an air distributing chamber mounted upon the backing plate, said air distributing chamber having a discharge opening directed toward the brake drum and having a sediment collecting portion disposed below the discharge opening, and means for collecting air from a high pressure area created by forward motion of the vehicle and communicating with said chamber at a point above the sediment collecting portion aforesaidf 8. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake fric tion means supported within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the brake flange. means supporting the friction means in the4 drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, a cooling system for the brake including an air distributing chamber mounted won the backing plate in communication with the interior of the drum through the backing plate and having a discharge opening directed toward the outer surface ofthe brake flange, saiddistributing chamber having a portion located at an elevation below the discharge opening to collect sediment and moisture finding its way into the distributing chamber, and an air collecting device located in a position to receive air by a forward motion of the vehicle and communicating with said distributing chamber above the sediment collecting portion thereof.

9. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising a revoluble drum having an annular brake flange, brake friction means within the drum and engageable with the inner annular surface of the flange, means for mounting the friction means in the drum including'a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, a cooling system for the brake including an air distributing chaina,ios,rve l bermounteduponthebackingplatemdhlvinga".

portioniacingtheforwardendofihevehide-to collectaix'uponinovernentofthevehicieinafce'-` warddirectiomsaid drum andhavingaportionlocatedbe'lowthedischarge opening for collecting sediment -that may '.be suspendedinthe aircollectedbytheportion l said scoop.

11. In a brake drum cooling device, the combination with a brake drum having external cooling projections and a backing plate for said brake drum, of a scoop secured to said backing plate and l having a portion extending over said brake drum and a portion located axially in an inboard direction beyond said brake drum, said last mentioned portion being flared toward its front end. both of said portions having their front ends open for the flow of air into said scoop, and means upon said scoop for directing the air toward said cooling projections.

12. In a brake drum cooling device, the combination with a brake drum and a backing plate for said brake drum, of a scoop secured to said backing plate and having a portion extending over said brake drum for directing air against the latter. said scoop having an opening at its front end and converging rearwardly toward and having its rear end spaced from said brake drum.

13. A brake construction for the road engaging wheels ofv a motor vehicle equipped with a radiator at the front end of the same and with a cooling fan in rear of the radiator, comprising a revoluble brake drum having an annular brake flange, friction means within the drum engageable with the inner annular surface of said flange, means mounting the friction means in the drum including a backing plate closing the open side of the drum and fixed against rotation, an air distributing chamber mounted upon the backing plate in communication with the interior of the drum through the backing plate and having a discharge opening directed toward the exterior surface of the brake flange, and means communicating with the chamber to supply air thereto 'including an air collecting device located in a position in rear of the cooling fan to receive air from the st created by said fan. 14. A brake construction for the road engaging vwheels of a motor vehicle equipped with a coolcamina s. Asn. 

